appeal
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a formal request to a higher court to change a decision made by a lower court.
n.a formal application to a superior court for the review and reversal of a decision made by an inferior court.
Simple“The lawyer filed an appeal after the judge gave a very harsh sentence.”
In context“The defendant's legal team prepared a lengthy appeal, citing several procedural errors that occurred during the initial trial.”
UsageOften used with the verbs 'file', 'lodge', or 'win'.
Synonymspetitionreconsideration - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a serious or urgent request for help, money, or information.
n.an earnest or urgent request for public support, financial assistance, or information.
Simple“The charity launched an emergency appeal to help the victims of the flood.”
In context“The police made a televised appeal for witnesses to come forward with any information regarding the missing vehicle.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the quality of being interesting or attractive to people.
n.the power or quality of attracting or stimulating interest.
Simple“The main appeal of the job was the chance to travel around the world.”
In context“The film's enduring appeal lies in its ability to balance sophisticated political commentary with genuine human emotion.”
SynonymsAntonymsrepulsion - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to formally ask a higher court to change a legal decision.
v.to apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Simple“The company decided to appeal against the fine in the high court.”
In context“The prosecution indicated that they would appeal the verdict, arguing that the judge had misdirected the jury on a point of law.”
UsageIn British English, speakers usually 'appeal against' a decision; in American English, they often 'appeal' the decision directly.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to be interesting or attractive to someone.
v.to be attractive or interesting to a particular person or group.
Simple“The idea of working from home really appeals to me.”
In context“The new marketing campaign was specifically designed to appeal to younger consumers who value sustainability over brand name.”
UsageAlways used with the preposition 'to'.
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make a serious or formal request for help or support.
v.to make an earnest or formal request to a person or authority for a decision or help.
Simple“The government appealed to the public to stay calm during the crisis.”
In context“The organizers appealed to local businesses for sponsorship to ensure the festival remained free for the community.”
Usage appeals court · appeal the decision
“One corner shop owner appealed to members of a pop-up WhatsApp group to behave themselves.”
“After her appeals to hitch a ride to their chosen site were met with no response, they took matters into their own hands.”
From Middle English apel, appel (“formal accusation brought in court; a challenge to trial by combat; an appeal to a higher court or authority; plea (for mercy, protection, etc.); pealing (of bells)”) [and other forms], from Old French apel (“a call”) (modern French appel (“a call; an appeal”)), from apeler (“to call; to call out”), from Latin appellāre (“to address as, call by name; to drive, move to; to land or put ashore”), alternative form adpellāre, from ad- (prefix meaning ‘to; towards’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂éd (“at; to”)) + pellere (“to drive, impel, push; to hurl, propel; to banish, expel; to eject, thrust out”) + -āre, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pelh₂- (“to approach”), from *pel- (“to beat; to drive; to push”). Doublet of appel.
From Middle English apelen, appelen (“to accuse; to make a formal charge before a court, etc., impeach; to challenge to trial by combat; to apply to a higher court or authority for review of a decision; to call upon for a decision, favour, help, etc.; to call by a name”) [and other forms], from Old French apeler (“to call; to call out”); see further at etymology 1.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.